[ok-sus] Fwd: PLEASE - Sign the Petition to SAVE UNION STATION in OKC

[Kim Woods]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Susan McCann <aa2475 at cox.net>
Date: Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Subject: PLEASE - Sign the Petition to SAVE UNION STATION in OKC
To: aa2475 <aa2475 at cox.net>


 *PETITION TO SAVE THE UNION STATION **RAIL** TERMINAL*

*Please sign the petition AT **http://bit.ly/usokc* <http://bit.ly/usokc>
* and forward to your friends.  Thanks! Change OKLAHOMA.  *

* *

***Background:*

The Union Station Terminal facility at purchased with public funds
specifically to serve as a regional passenger rail hub and is essential to
the rapid and economical development of safe, convenient, fuel efficient and
environmentally friendly rail transit for the region.

OKC Union Station rail facility at 300 SW 7th situated at the center of the
state's unique railway network and: connects every corner of the state,

The proposed destruction of OKC Union Station rail yard is unnecessary to
the construction the new 1-40 Crosstown since there is a reasonable
alternative that can preserve the rail facility and allow the completion of
the highway with minimal cost and delays.

Rail transit oriented development has proven to be an economic driver for
many progressive cities and offers transportation alternatives that are
attractive to urban dwellers and the companies that hire them. Rail transit
is the foundation of the most efficient urban/suburban public transportation
systems and depends upon a central integrating hub. The Union Station in
Oklahoma City is ideally suited and strategically located along existing
right of way and could provide that critical hub.



An opportunity exists to modify the planned alignment of the I-40 New
Crosstown highway by shifting a short segment 125 feet south so as to
preserve the rail assets at Union Station including the most direct rail
access to Will Rogers World Airport and the downtown, Core To Shore, and the
new anticipated convention center and hotel.

 The Cities of Norman, Shawnee, and El Reno have all passed formal
resolutions asking for reconsideration of an option that would preserve the
Union Station Terminal facililty. The final decision on what happens to
Union Station’s rail yard and its connecting rail lines clearly rests
on Oklahoma
City’s shoulders.  A very reasonable alternative now exists; federal funding
is available to offset the additional costs; and there is extensive
municipal and public support throughout the metropolitan area for the
proposal.

*Please sign the petition below and send a message to the Oklahoma City
Council to support the modification of the planned alignment of the New
Crosstown Highway sufficient to preserve the opportunity for future use of  the
entire rail yard at Union Station as a regional commuter  rail transit and
multimodal hub for Central Oklahoma.  *For more information visit
www.ontracok.org





-- 
Kim Woods BSW
Homeless Services Director
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
405.526.2321
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